Dovetail Joints for Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Dovetail joints are an excellent type of joinery that offers substantial strength and sturdiness to high-use kitchen components such as drawers. The most common example is where two pieces of wood are cut to fit together with a slot or dado joint. If the boxes of the drawers are firmly constructed and dovetailed well, you may not have to replace these during a kitchen refacing project. Still, if the boxes are weak and don’t have good joint construction, replacing them may be necessary. You should check each individual piece carefully so that you know it’s in proper condition before making a final decision on replacement.

Advantage of Dovetail Joints

Dovetail joints are particularly ideal for your doors and drawer bottoms. This area of your refacing kitchen cabinets usually suffers the most abuse during routine use. It is also a location that offers the best access for cleaning the drawers. Regularly inspect your doors and bottoms for signs of damage or deterioration. Then you can decide whether to repair or replace some or all of them.

Taking Care of Dovetail Joints

Dovetail joints are very sturdy, but they’re not indestructible. Like all wooden components, they can be subject to warping, splits, and rot. A little care and attention paid to the joints will go a long way in avoiding costly kitchen cabinet refacing costs. You can avoid costly repairs or replacements by performing regular maintenance on your doors and drawer fronts.

To begin, if your existing doors and drawers show signs of wear, you may want to consider simply refinishing them. This approach will save you money by allowing you to maintain the integrity of your doors and drawers while also addressing minor issues like split drawer boxes or uneven drawer floors. Of course, if you find deep scratches or other problems in your existing doors and drawer boxes, it may be necessary to replace these items with new ones.

In most cases, refacing with real wood dovetail joints only requires sanding the surfaces to a smooth, even surface. Wood stain will then need to be applied to give your surfaces the color and look you desire. For truly exceptional results, consider using epoxy glue for heavier applications. This product is made from chemicals-resistant pigments that create a strong bond with your new particleboard, resulting in sturdier joints and stronger wood overall. Epoxies also resist stains and other forms of damage so that your doors and drawer boxes will last for many years to come.

Determining when it’s time to perform a professional kitchen cabinet refacing in Aliso Viejo isn’t something you should take lightly. The appearance and value of your kitchen cabinets are important to you and your family, as well as to the value of your home. While refacing with actual wood, dovetail joints can provide you with a great new look that reflects your unique personality. If you’re thinking of changing the appearance of your kitchen cabinets or just enhancing their functionality, a semi-custom cabinet job may be the right choice for you.